2008 Woodie Awards
Immigration the focus of Intelligence Symposium
Chris Hipner
Issue date: 4/21/06 Section: News
On April 10, the Global Security and Intelligence Studies program hosted the Second Annual Intelligence Symposium. This year's topic has been making international news lately: the U.S.-Mexico border. The presentation is a chance for seniors of the GSIS program to showcase their work. Among the special guests at the presentation were Congressman Rick Renzi and Chairwoman Vivian Juan-Saunders of the Tohono O'odham Nation.
The program addressed the recent rise in attention given to immigration. National attention seemed to reach its height during these past two weeks, when hundreds of thousands of people staged protests across the country. In Phoenix alone there were an estimated 100,000 people. The waves of protests came while an immigration bill floated around Capital Hill.
This presentation was part of the SIS 415 curriculum, where the class focused on the U.S.-Mexico border for the entire semester. Students studied all aspects pertaining to the border, such as geographical, cultural, political, economic, criminal, law enforcement, international law, foreign policy, military, and human migration patterns.
After researching their assigned section, a report is compiled, comprised of data, recommendations, and an action plan. For example, one subgroup researched what kind of criminal organizations are operating from Mexico and across the border, including types, numbers, business dealings, and leadership structure. This group reported that while most of the cocaine is produced in Colombia, the job of transporting and distributing it is "outsourced" to the Mexicans.
Assuming the role of transporter, various Mexican cartels have been able to earn vast sums of money and influence. The cartels have been able to bribe officials at all levels of the Mexican government, including the anti-narcotics general.
One of the highlights of the presentation was a video put together by two students, Mark Beall and Abraham Dip. The video, narrated by Mark, gave insight as to why and how illegal immigrants cross into the United States. "Interviewing the Border Patrol gave us a lot of insight into border issues," Abraham said.
The Symposium started at 9 a.m. and ended close to noon. At the end, the presentation entertained a Questions and Answers session. Many questions were asked, although most were directed at Congressman Renzi. One member of the audience ran a small human tracking company, and seemed to be asking for a job.
The class recommended a variety of comprehensive solutions, such as extending workers' visas, and allowing the immigrant to stay up to six years, with the possibility of becoming a citizen. When combating the drug smuggling trade, better cooperation between both sides of the border is required. The findings will be published sometime during the summer and no doubt will be on hand at request.
The program addressed the recent rise in attention given to immigration. National attention seemed to reach its height during these past two weeks, when hundreds of thousands of people staged protests across the country. In Phoenix alone there were an estimated 100,000 people. The waves of protests came while an immigration bill floated around Capital Hill.
This presentation was part of the SIS 415 curriculum, where the class focused on the U.S.-Mexico border for the entire semester. Students studied all aspects pertaining to the border, such as geographical, cultural, political, economic, criminal, law enforcement, international law, foreign policy, military, and human migration patterns.
After researching their assigned section, a report is compiled, comprised of data, recommendations, and an action plan. For example, one subgroup researched what kind of criminal organizations are operating from Mexico and across the border, including types, numbers, business dealings, and leadership structure. This group reported that while most of the cocaine is produced in Colombia, the job of transporting and distributing it is "outsourced" to the Mexicans.
Assuming the role of transporter, various Mexican cartels have been able to earn vast sums of money and influence. The cartels have been able to bribe officials at all levels of the Mexican government, including the anti-narcotics general.
One of the highlights of the presentation was a video put together by two students, Mark Beall and Abraham Dip. The video, narrated by Mark, gave insight as to why and how illegal immigrants cross into the United States. "Interviewing the Border Patrol gave us a lot of insight into border issues," Abraham said.
The Symposium started at 9 a.m. and ended close to noon. At the end, the presentation entertained a Questions and Answers session. Many questions were asked, although most were directed at Congressman Renzi. One member of the audience ran a small human tracking company, and seemed to be asking for a job.
The class recommended a variety of comprehensive solutions, such as extending workers' visas, and allowing the immigrant to stay up to six years, with the possibility of becoming a citizen. When combating the drug smuggling trade, better cooperation between both sides of the border is required. The findings will be published sometime during the summer and no doubt will be on hand at request.
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